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Treatment for a Boil on the Skin

Treatment for a Boil on the Skin

Overview

Acne boils, also referred to as acne cysts, are one of the largest and most difficult acne blemishes to eliminate. Acne boils is typically very swollen and inflamed, making the condition not only embarrassing, but very painful as well. Clearing acne boils required a few specific alterations to your skin care routine, but will effectively heal the boils on your skin.

Selecting a Cleanser

Acne boils are highly inflamed, and can be exacerbated when cleansed with a regular facial soap, which contains strong chemical ingredients that can irritate your skin. In order to cleanse skin affected by acne boils, it is important to use a soap designed for sensitive skin types, which will be free of skin-irritating ingredients. Your skin should be lathered lightly, and rinsed gently with water. Scrubbing should be avoided, as it can aggravate acne boils.

Selecting a Topical Medication

There are many varieties and strength of topical acne medications, ranging from mild salicylic acid gels to heavy duty benzoyl peroxide creams. Although it may seem logical to treat severe acne with the highest strength topical medications, this can actually aggravate your skin and can make acne worse. Acne boils can be effectively treated by applying a significant amount of the lowest strength benzoyl peroxide cream, 2.5 percent in concentration. 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide cream will kill off acne-causing bacteria and can dry up acne boils without causing peeling or burning.

Keeping the Skin Hydrated

Most people suffering from acne boils neglect using a moisturizer for fear that it will cause more acne. However, using a topical acne medication without re-hydrating your skin will actually cause your skin to become too dry, leading to an overproduction of skin oil in order to compensate for the lack of moisture. Luckily, using an oil-free moisturizing lotion, which does not contain pore-clogging oils, will keep your skin properly hydrated, without causing breakouts.

Preventing Exacerbation

Acne boils should be treated very delicately or they could become worse. Scrubbing or rubbing your skin should be avoided, and never attempt to pop the acne boils. Trying to pop acne boils can lead to skin damage and scarring.

When to Seek Help

If the acne boils do not improve after using a sensitive skin soap, a low-concentration benzoyl peroxide cream, and an oil-free moisturizer, seek the advice of a medical doctor or dermatologist. There are topical medications that are only available by prescription which may help more severe acne types that are resistant to over the counter treatments.